Tri Cam

Stronger than any straight-laced design, the CAMP Tri Cam Set uses the strength and stability of the triangle to keep you safe on your climb.

Functional in both cammed and chocked positions, the Tri Cam offers passive nut and active cam placement options - they can be placed in the extended mode like a standard nut, or flipped over in a camming configuration for parallel cracks.

I've always liked tri cams and this is a replacement for a lost 1.5. The more you use the tri cams the more placements you find. They are a lightweight alternative to cams and can give you doubles without the added weight and bulk. I also like using them as a directional piece.

The width on these makes them the smallest width camming unit you can place. This makes them fit in a lot of places where other cams are just too wide. I like the red, pink and blue best. Other sizes may be very hard to place and get bulky quick.

Just got back from JTree, used Tricams on every crack route and on some bolted routes. My oldest are over 20 years old and I still use them. Most versatile PRO ever. You almost can't have too many small ones (red and smaller).

these things were great even before the new smaller sizes, now they are just awesome, some lines that were very bold in the past are now much safer to lead thanks to the ability of these units to go in where nothing else will go.

Pros:-They fit where nothing else will. You might ask, "how often does that really happen?" My answer: all the time. There's nothing better than feeling well-protected before that hard move; there's nothing worse than having to make that move knowing that nothing in your rack really does the trick. You won't know it until you see it for yourself: there are plenty of places where cams just don't work.-They're lightweight-The low weight, together with how well they do in chossy rock, ice, etc. makes them excellent for alpine climbs.-They're inexpensive-They have a nice big range and two or three ways to place each piece.-On average, they have a strength rating that's 5 to 10 kN higher than a camalot. Think about anchors: you should try to place pieces that are stronger than the rope and webbing, with no extension. If you use 14 kN pieces (camalots) and dynamically equalize them, then you've met the force requirement, but not the no-extension requirement. Most tricams will hold over 20 kN on their own. Also, cams slip under stress--that 14 kN rating is wishful thinking in the field.

1 con: If you're pumping out on a 5.11 or 12, you're not going to waste your time with a tricam--you're going to throttle in a cam as fast as you can. However, even 11s and 12s usually have sections of rest (5.10 and below climbing), so tricams are still useful on the hard stuff.

final notes: I use these a lot more often than hexes (rockcentrics). I find that the hexes are just more finnicky. I usually climb on granite and basalt.

These beauties fit where other stuff just won't go and are strong and very light. They work extemely well in pockets and horizontal cracks. Once you become experienced with how to place them they will not let you down. Buy some!

just learning how to place pro and I have to say that tri cams are the best. When you first start to learn how to place them it can be tricky. Cleaning can be a pain. lightweight, solid, holds well in icy cracks and holds falls well (if placed properly!!) what else do you need (besides more)!